Intel no doubt has advantage in technology but product design is a problem. They couldn't define a better architecture with low power. The other issue is cost. I don't think anyone can compete against TSMC in IC mfg. cost reduction. It's an art that mastered by all level of employees in TSMC. But Intel employees has strong discipline like military. It takes a strong leader to lead and change the top level and the rest could follow the order to execute thoroughly.

I agree emphatically. As someone who worked for Intel from Grove to Otellini, Intel started its downward (in spite of what profits have shown), when Barrett took over. Intel went from inventions to investors. Just staying ahead of competition because they had money to at any problem, does anyone remember Prescott. To turn things around and turn Intel back into the innovation company it once was, it needs a visionary engineer to lead. Not a myopic manufacturing or sales investor singing pawn

For Intel to make a mark against the ARM - TSMC duopoly in Mobile, they would need to leverage their lead in transistor & Fab technology to come out with SoC s that would perform better ( faster at even lower power ) than ARM based designs but would be able to run std. PC software on Tablets and cost no more than $ 10. Intel has less than 2 years to create this breakthrough product, otherwise it might as well forget all about it as by then Chinese companies would be making their own ARM based designs. This is a technical goal and would need a CEO savvy in Technology ( Mobile, Software, Architecture, Chip Design & Process ) as well as Business strengths.

Guys, why do we keep forgetting about Intel's history.. remember there forays in domains outside of the PC market.. digital watches many decades ago, strongARM, communications some telecom stuff, etc, etc. Never was able to make anything out of these. Always back to the PC market, their center of gravity, bread and butter, high margin( need to answer the shareholders). And now the entry into mobile market against a formidable opponent who plays in the high volume low margin market.. you figure it out, who will win this market.

Intel's best and brightest days may be behind us when it comes to its marketing muscle and when it comes to moving into new areas of applications. But intel has by far the best and the most advanced process technology in the world. In fact they are easily five years ahead of TSMC and Global Foundaries both. Intel needs a new CEO who will be able to maintain this kind of technological edge. Most of the candidates you proposed have little background and experience in cutting edge process technology, Intel's crown jewel.